“I didn’t realize it rained so much here.” I set a plate of tacos on the table for Cole and go back to fix one more for myself. “I don’t know why I had it in my head that New York City was bright and sunny, but I did. Maybe from all the movies set here.”

“Wait until winter,” Cole says with a laugh. “You might miss Kentucky then.”

“I’m excited for the first big snow,” I remind him. “I don’t have to leave the house anymore unless it’s absolutely necessary, so it won’t bother me. But don’t worry, I will feel bad for you.”

His smile grows and he gets up, coming over to the stove and puts his arms around my waist. “Speaking of home, I have something for you.” He lets go of me and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a pineapple keychain. I set my plate down and take it. “For your house key.”

“Cole,” I say softly. “Thank you.”

“I love you, Ana. I want you to feel like this is your home too.”

“It’s starting to. And once I start decorating with more pineapple stuff and pictures of cats, it really will.”

“I think you’re joking, but I need to be sure.”

“Oh, I’m one-hundred percent serious,” I say and nod. “I’ve already decided that a big picture of Thor should go over the fireplace in the living room, and I spent most of the afternoon researching photographers who do newborn photography and pet photography in the same style.”

Cole laughs. “I bet that’s a real thing.”

“Of course is it! And when we get our cat, we’ll need a good picture of the three of us for our baby announcement.”

He puts his arms around me again. “I love you,” he whispers and kisses my neck.

I close my eyes, wrap my fingers around the keychain, and hug Cole. We stay like that for a minute, and then separate and go to the table.

“This is good,” Cole tells me after he takes a bite.

“Thanks. Tacos are hard to mess up. Though so is spaghetti and we know how that turned out. If we do Taco Tuesday every week, you’re guaranteed at least one good meal.”

“You don’t have to cook for me at all, you know.”

“I do know, and I’m cooking for both of us. Unless you want to hire a chef along with the housekeepers.”

“I’ve considered it before,” he tells me. “When I was serious about working out, I looked into it but it never panned out.”

“That would be awesome, but they’d have to make me all sorts of junk food and dessert along with your healthy workout food. And probably sing “Be Our Guest” at least once while I’m wearing a blue dress and dancing with the dishes.”

“You’re so weird, Ana,” he says with a laugh. “And I love that about you.”

“Thanks. My mom always said it was either a trait you’d have to love or hate about me.”

We both go back for seconds. “How was the rest of work?” I ask him, looking over my shoulder as I fill a shell with cheese and meat. “Anything exciting happen after lunch?”

“No,” he says quickly. “Nothing.”

“That’s good. Sometimes a boring day is a good day, right?”

“Yeah. It is.”

I sit back down across from Cole at the table in the kitchen. He’s quiet again, and I notice the dark circles under his eyes. “Want to shower and then watch a movie or read together on the couch after dinner? You should really go to bed early tonight.”

“Yeah, a shower sounds great. But I have a chapter to edit and send to an author. I meant to get it done at the office today but ran out of time. Sorry, Ana.”

“Don’t be sorry, Cole. Do your work then go to bed. Seriously. I’ll work on my chapter while you work on yours. I was a little distracted today and didn’t get much done.”

“Distracted?”

“I keep looking at cats on the animal shelter’s website.”

Cole smiles. “We can go this weekend.”

I raise my gaze across the table and reach out, taking Cole’s hand. “I can’t wait.”

* * *

The rest of the week passes by quickly. Cole works late almost every day and comes home looking even more worn out than before. We had plans to go out and see that movie we missed last weekend, but when he drags himself through the door Friday evening, I change plans for us. A night in is exactly what he needs, and falls asleep on the couch while watching a movie a little after eight p.m. At midnight, I gently woke him up and guided him to bed. He fell asleep quickly again and didn’t get up until nine-thirty the next morning.

“You look better,” I say, pouring myself a mug of coffee. I eyeball the kitchen windows, blinds still drawn, and sit by Cole at the table.

“I feel better. I guess I didn’t realize how tired I was until I fell asleep. Then it was like I couldn’t wake up.”

“You needed to rest. I still can’t believe you had to go to work after all that travel and then have to stay late. You deserve a raise.”

Cole raises his eyebrows and nods. “I agree. Enough about work though.” He puts his mug down and puts his hand on my thigh. “Tonight will be fun.”

“It will. I haven’t been to a Halloween party in a long time. I think you’ll like my costume…and yours.”

“Yay. I can’t wait to wear spandex,” he says dryly.

“I actually have a surprise for you,” I tell him, wrinkling my nose. “About your costume.”

“Should I be worried?”

“I’ll let you decide. Stay here.” I hurry upstairs to get a box and come back down to hand it to Cole.

“What’s this?”

“Your costume.”

“In here?” He picks up the small box and gives it a shake.

“Just open it.” I watch, trying not to smile, as Cole opens the box and pulls out a pair of glasses and a name badge.

“Clark Kent from The Daily Planet,” he reads and then turns to me with a smile. “So, no spandex?”

“I mean, if you really want to wear it, I’m sure we can find you something.”

“This is perfect, Ana. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I do have a T-shirt for you to wear under a button-up if you want. It’s blue with the Superman symbol on it. You can leave the top few buttons undone so people get the costume.”

“You’re a genius.”

“Nah, I just have a Pinterest account, really.”

“I want to thank you, regardless.”

“I’ll accept any form of thanks, too.”

Cole sets the costume down and puts his hands on my ass. “I was thinking of licking your pussy.”

His directness is such a turn-on. Fuck, I’m so lucky.

* * *

“You’re joking, right?”

“I wish,” Cole sighs. “It won’t take long, and the office is a block away from the hall where the party is taking place. I already asked Luke if he and Lexi can swing by here on the way and pick you up.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience them.”

“You’re not. They’re going to park here and take a cab to the hall anyway.”

“Oh, I don’t feel bad then.”

“You shouldn’t feel bad at all.”

I nod and pick up the curling iron. I’m attempting to curl my hair before the party. It’ll be flat in a matter of hours, but I’ll get a few good pictures in before then at least. Just a few minutes ago, Caitlin Black called Cole about an issue with an editor and something about the wrong file being uploaded to Amazon, and he has to go into the office to oversee that the correct changes are made.

“Want me to come with you?” I ask, wrapping a section of hair around the hot iron. “For moral support, of course.”

“I’d like that, but it’s okay. Go to the party. If I can get ahold of the right people on the phone, it won’t take long. But…”

“But it’s Saturday night.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him and move onto another section of hair. “It sucks you have to deal with this.”

Cole shrugs. “It comes with the job. I found out years ago the higher up you go in the company, the more responsibility you have. Unless you’re Caitlin,” he adds with a laugh.

“Must be nice to inherit the world’s biggest publishing house. She literally got it all handed to her with no work.”

“I know, right?” He sighs again. “I should go. I don’t want to.”

“You can’t refuse, can you?”

“That wouldn’t go over so well.”

I curl the last strand of straight hair and turn to Cole. “You look hot as Clark Kent, by the way. I’m going to be waiting all night for you to rip that shirt off and reveal that you’re really Superman. And then use your superpowers on me.”

Cole kisses me. “I’ve never seen Wonder Woman look so fucking hot. Wait. Are Superman and Wonder Woman related?”

“If I said they are, would you still want to fuck me?”

“I’ll always want to fuck you. But are they?”

I laugh. “There are fan theories that they are, but technically they are from different worlds, well, if you go off certain versions. So if you’re into that sort of thing, we can pretend.”

“I’m not.” His hands land on my thighs. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

He kisses me one more time and then leaves. Once I hear the beeping of the alarm and know the house is armed, I go back to fussing with my hair and makeup and then watch TV to kill the rest of the time before Luke and Lexi gets here. Based on what I’ve witnessed myself and by what Cole has said, I’m not counting on them being here anytime soon.

Cole calls, and I grab the phone eagerly.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hey. Bad news. The wrong file has been uploaded everywhere, not just Amazon.”

“Oh, babe, I’m so sorry. But, uh, what does this mean?”

“It means I’ll be doing the same thing over and over.”

“How long is it gonna take?”

“Depends on how long I’m on hold.”

I frown, feeling bad for Cole. “Hopefully they at least play good music.”

He chuckles. “Hopefully. Oh, and I left the Daily Planet name badge on the nightstand. Can you bring it for me?”

“Of course, Clark. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Love you, too,” he says and hangs up. I go upstairs and look on his nightstand, but don’t see the badge. I look on the other nightstand and find the badge. It’s on the side of the bed I’ve been sleeping on, but since Cole’s had the bed to himself for years, I guess assigning ownership to a side of the bed or a nightstand doesn’t happen overnight. I grab the badge and then go downstairs, putting it in my purse right away so I don’t forget it.

Twenty minutes later, Lexi texts me to say they’re here. I unarm the house and wait at the front door, not unlocking it until I see Luke’s face. Call me paranoid…fuck. I’ll always be like this.

“You look amazing!” Lexi says as soon as she sees me. “And totally like you can kick my ass. I love it.”

“Thanks. You look good too,” I tell Lexi, who’s dressed as Morticia Addams. “I’m seriously jealous of your boobs right now.”

“They do distract from the baby bump.” Lexi puts her hand over her stomach.

“You’re right because I didn’t even notice.”

“That makes me feel good. I’m at that weird is-she-pregnant-or-fat phase.”

Luke, who’s dressed as Gomez Addams, slips his arm around Lexi. “I don’t know why you’re worried. Pregnant or fat, you’re fucking hot and you’re fucking mine. If anyone has a problem with any part of you, they have me to deal with.”

Lexi turns her head up to him, heavily-lined eyes widening. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” Luke tells her and places his hand on her stomach. “You’re growing our son. That’s fucking amazing.”

As if I’m not there at all, he kisses her, and now I understand even more why they annoy Cole so much. Hell, I like them both and they annoy me. I always thought couples who displayed an over-show of emotions were compensating for something, but I don’t think it’s true in Luke and Lexi’s case.

“Shall we go?” I ask.

“Yeah. I need to pee first.” Lexi hurries away and I go to the front door, pulling on my boots.

“Have you heard from Cole?” Luke asks.

“Yeah, a bit ago. The problem is worse than he thinks, so he’ll be late, which sucks, but at least he’ll be there.”

“You’ll probably have more fun without him.”

Lexi comes down the hall and gives Luke a look. “Be nice. Cole can be fun.”

“Name one time Cole was fun,” Luke says seriously.

Lexi raises her eyebrows. “I’m not playing this game.”

“That’s because you can’t think of anything,” Luke laughs. “Though lately he’s been much more tolerable. Thanks, Ana.”

“You can pay me later. I do accept alcohol as a form of payment,” I say and head outside. It’s hard not to smile when I pull out my house key, /attached to the pineapple keychain, and lock the front door. I still have to go back to Kentucky and get my stuff, but the overall feeling is that this place is home.

“Have you guys picked out a name yet?” I ask Lexi once we get into the taxi.

“It’s either Ethan or Hayden,” she starts.

“Not Hayden,” Luke interrupts. “I’m not calling my son Hayden, and Lexi only likes it because of a character from a book.”

“That’s a real reason to like a name,” I agree. “And dislike one.”

“I had a neighbor in Chicago named Hayden and she was a huge bitch. Now that’s what I think of when I hear the name.”

“But Hayden Winchester sounds nice together,” Lexi goes on.

“What about Aiden?” I suggest. “Aiden Winchester sound similar.”

Lexi looks at Luke, eyebrows raised. “I like that.”

Luke smiles. “I do too. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”

“Now we need a middle name.”

Luke laughs. “We have time.”

“Oh,” Lexi says suddenly and looks at me. “Quinn asked me to talk to you and see if you’d be interested in doing an author takeover in her group.”

“Oh my God, yes. That would be awesome but I’m totally going to be nervous.”

“Don’t be. She’ll walk you through everything, and this can be great for you. Quinn has a big presence in the romance community and she knows how to use it. She’s really excited to introduce you to her readers, actually.”

My mind starts to get ahead of me, and instead of imagining things crashing and burning like I usually do, I imagine myself becoming friends with Quinn and having late-night talks where she shares her publishing wisdom and offers support. Writing an amazing book is only half of having a career in writing nowadays, and I’m worried my weirdness could be off-putting to fans.

I offer to pay the fare when we get to the venue, but Luke declines and hands the cabbie cash before he gets out and helps Lexi to her feet. The venue looks amazing just from the outside, and when we get in, I’m speechless. The decor is over the top yet classy, and is themed to make the entire place look like a haunted hotel from the 1920s.

I stick with Lexi as she goes around saying hi to people and introducing me to anyone I haven’t yet met. I recognize Lexi’s friend Jillian and start to feel like a third wheel when Jillian’s husband and Luke get to talking like old friends. Lexi is way too nice to give off the slightest clue that I’m a burden, but I wonder if she’d be having more fun if she weren’t constantly making sure I was okay.

Half an hour later, Cole texts and says he’s finally on his way. Since the party is in Manhattan, it won’t take him long to get here. Lexi introduces me to a newly-hired editor, a young woman named Ellie, and then I go off by myself, happily visiting the buffet table. I load up a plate with food and go to the bar for a drink.

“Are you here alone?” someone asks, stepping close behind me.

I turn to see a man, face painted like a zombie, standing just two feet away. He’s clutching a plastic ax in one hand and smiling at me.

“Are you trying to be creepy?” I ask.

He laughs. “That wasn’t my intention, but I get nervous around attractive women. And you are making me very nervous.”

“Oh.” I realize he’s turning it into a compliment, one that’s supposed to make me laugh or blush or tell him I’m sorry that by standing here, doing absolutely nothing, I’m making him nervous.

“Maybe you didn’t hear me. I get nervous around attractive women, and you’re making me nervous.”

“I heard you,” I say with a polite smile, reminding myself that I have no idea who this guy is. He could be a publisher for all I know. But I’m going to hold onto my resolve and not fawn all over him just because he gave me a compliment. I did a social experiment in college and didn’t giggle, blush, or swoon over compliments given to me by men, and a surprising number actually got mad about it, thinking I owed it to them to react the way they wanted me to react.

The zombie laughs. “And you’re not going to thank me?”

“Why would I thank you for being nervous?” I push my brows together, trying to look like I really don’t get it.

“Never mind. Superman’s not here with you, is he?”

“Yeah, he is. Have fun tonight,” I say to the zombie and happily take my drink from the bartender. I leave a tip and take my Moscow Mule and my plate over to a table, sitting by Lexi, who’s working on a piece of chocolate cake, and ask her if she knows who the zombie is.

“He’s wearing too much makeup,” she tells me. “I can’t really recognize him.”

I nod and take a drink, and then it hits me: this is a costume party. Not everyone is what they appear. There are people in heavy makeup and masks. It’s all too easy to hide yourself tonight.

Fear makes its way down my spine and the room spins. I put my hands flat on the table, and close my eyes. I can’t freak out now. I take a deep breath in and slowly let it out. I press my feet hard down onto the floor, reminding myself that I’m right here, right now. I’m surrounded by people. I’m safe.

And then I feel his presence, and everything is okay. I open my eyes to see Cole walking across the room. A purple strobe light dances across his face and our eyes meet. He smiles and my heart flutters. The panic goes away. The fear subsides.

Cole gets stopped by someone on his way over, shooting me an apologetic look. I don’t mind because he’s here now. I reach into my purse for his Clark Kent name badge.

“Hi, Scarlett!” a woman in red high heels says my name. I straighten up and see Lindsay pulling out a chair at the table. She’s dressed as a sexy nurse and looks hot and adorable at the same time. “Oh my gosh, I love your costume!”

“Thanks. I like yours too.”

“Please.” She waves her hand in the air. “This was last year’s. I wore it to a sorority party and spilled rum and Coke on it. The stains are still there but you can’t see them in the dark.”

“It’s perfect then.”

“I just got here, have you been here long?”

“Maybe forty-five minutes? Not that long.”

“It’s amazing in here. I expected things to be over the top, but this…” She looks around. “This is breathtaking. I sound lame, don’t I?”

I laugh. “Not at all. I thought the same thing. I’m from a small town in Kentucky so pretty much everything in New York City has been breathtaking for me.” I take another drink and try not to shudder. Whoever made this was very generous with the vodka. I look at Cole and can tell he’s trying to politely get away, taking a step back every now and then. Whoever he’s talking to moves along with him, laughing boisterously and not picking up on the social cues that Cole is ready to be done with the conversation.

Lindsay follows my eye. “Cole didn’t wear a costume?”

“He’s Clark Kent,” I explain. “He forgot his Daily Planet name badge.” I hold it up so she can see.

“Who’s that?”

I blink. Once. Twice. Three times. “Superman.”

“Superman has a human name?”

If I had taken a drink, I would have spit it out. “Yeah, he does.”

She looks at me, and then at Cole. “What about Wonder Woman?”

“Diana Prince.”

“Interesting,” she says and watches Cole come over. She fusses with her hair and pushes her shoulders back. “Hey, Cole,” she says as soon as he’s at the table. I stand and walk over to him.

“Did you get everything taken care of?” I ask and slip the name badge over his head, then go in for a hug. Cole brushes me off, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Lexi nudge Luke. She thought it was weird too.

“I did, thankfully. Everything is fixed, and the new versions of the book are uploading now.”

“I knew you’d fix things.” I take Cole’s hand, but he pulls it out of mine. Lindsay saw and is giving me a weird look. “Want a drink? I can go get you something.”

“I can get it myself, but thanks. Enjoy the party.”

“I’ll enjoy it more with you.”

Cole just gives me a tight smile and sits down in the seat between mine and Lindsay’s. I sit back down as well, grabbing my drink and taking a few big gulps.

“Is my aunt driving you nuts?” Lindsay asks Cole.

“No more than usual,” he answers.

“I can only imagine. She’s such a hardass anyway, but with her wanting to make you a publisher, it has to be ten times worse.”

“You’re being considered for a publisher?” Lexi asks, leaning closer.

“I am,” he says.

“Cole, that’s awesome! Why didn’t you say anything?”

I look at Cole, feeling more and more like that third wheel again. I’m his girlfriend. We live together. I’d think this is the kind of thing you’d share, right?

“It’s not a done deal yet,” he explains. “I don’t want to get excited until it’s actually happening.”

“Oh, it will happen,” Lindsay says. It bothers me that she knew and I didn’t. She’s Caitlin’s niece…maybe she told her directly. “I’ve heard her talk about it. She really does think you’re the best to take over her spot. The board is meeting in two weeks to make the final decision.”

Cole smiles and then shakes his head. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It does. You are so modest. Which is so nice to see in a man.” Lindsay bites her lip and laughs. “You will be perfect for the job.”

I put my hand on Cole’s thigh, feeling more and more uncomfortable as time goes on. Lindsay is openly flirting with him, and I’m right here. Maybe she didn’t know we were a couple before, but now that Cole’s here next to me, shouldn’t he say something?

“We should celebrate. Want to get a drink and then dance?” I ask and give his leg a squeeze. He tenses, and it’s like he wants to jerk his leg away. Okay…does he not want Lindsay to know we’re together? He’s certainly acting like it. But why?

Cole turns, smiling. He looks me in the eye and his whole body relaxes, but only for a moment.

“I’ll take a drink but you know I don’t dance.”

“I have a quarter with your name on it.”

Lindsay leans in, eyeballing my hand on Cole’s leg. “What about a quarter?”

“Long story,” Cole says quickly. “I’m going to get drinks. Want anything?”

“No, thanks,” I tell him. “I still have this left.”

Lindsay asks him to bring back a glass of wine. Before Cole gets up, I go in to kiss him, but he stiffs me and turns away. What the fuck is going on?

“You seem very friendly with him,” Lindsay says to me once Cole is gone. “Is there something going on between you?” She wiggles her eyebrows and offers a smile. The innocent girl-talk isn’t sitting right with me.

“Yeah, there is. He’s my boyfriend.”

Lindsay laughs. She actually fucking laughs. When I don’t laugh with her, the smile disappears from her face. “Oh, you’re serious.”

“Yeah, I’m serious. I’ve been staying with him at his place for the last month too.”

She turns her head, watching Cole, and then looks at me again, “Really?”

“Yes.”

“I asked Cole if he was bringing a date tonight,” she says slowly, as if she’s trying to piece things together. “And he told me he wasn’t.”

My stomach drops. “When did you ask him?”

“The day I saw you in the lobby. Wait. You were there to see Cole?”

“Yeah, we met for lunch. He told you he didn’t have a date tonight?”

“Yes. I’m sure. I…I thought he was single. Sorry if I overstepped,” she apologizes but sounds like she’s not sure if she should believe me, or if I’m delusional and making this all up.

I keep my eyes on Cole. “You didn’t. Excuse me,” I say and get up, going to the bar where Cole is.

“Ana,” he says and looks around, making sure no one is watching. Then he leans in as if he’s going to kiss me. I hold up my hand, stopping him. “What’s wrong?”

“Did you tell Lindsay you’re single?”

“No.”

“Weird. Because she looked at me like I was an idiot when I said you were my boyfriend. She’s under the impression that you don’t have a date tonight, which is strange since we were supposed to be here together.”

“Ana, I didn’t—”

“Maybe you got confused and told her about the promotion but not your girlfriend.”

“I can explain, Ana.”

My stomach drops. “Just hearing you say that…just knowing that you have to explain…” I shake my head, fighting back tears. “I don’t understand why you’d lie about me. Are you ashamed?”

“Of course not, Ana. I love you.”

“Then why would you tell her you didn’t have a date tonight? Why won’t you kiss me or hold my hand?”

“Ana…” he starts. “Please let me explain.”

“Explain why you lied about having a girlfriend? Or why you thought telling me about the promotion wasn’t important enough to mention.” I angrily wipe a rogue tear away.

“Yes, explain that,” he says, brown eyes filling with worry.

“You know what, don’t bother. You told me you loved me, and I believed you. God, I’m an idiot.”

My words are like bullets, hitting Cole with the truth. Pain radiates across his face and he steps forward. I back away.

“Ana…”

I look into Cole’s eyes, heart yearning for him. He could have a good reason, right? No. I can’t make excuses for him. Is lying to Lindsay about me enough to walk away? Was he hoping to hook up with her? That just doesn’t seem like Cole. Why would he ask me to move in if he wanted to sleep with other people?

“Cole,” I breathe.

He steps away from the bar and cups my face. I close my eyes, taking in the heat of his hand, the way his rough skin feels against my flesh. “I love you, Ana.”

“I want to believe you.”

“Believe it.”

Someone stops behind us. “Are you in line?” a woman dressed like a cowgirl asks.

I blink and look up, having forgotten we were in the middle of a party. Cole has a way of making everything else disappear. My heart thumps in my chest and emotions flood through me.

“No, we’re not,” Cole tells her and we step to the side. Lines of worry form on his handsome face. My phone rings and I reach into my purse with the intention to silence it. I see the number and the familiar tingle of fear makes its way through me, along with anger.

Can’t he just leave me alone?

“Ana? Is it him?”

I decline the call. “Yes. But I’m not answering.” I shake my head and sigh. “I guess I’ll be calling that police officer. It’s been a while since Steven has pulled anything. I almost felt normal.”

Cole looks away and nods. The screen changes on my phone, reminding me about the call I declined and letting me know I have three text messages.

All from Steven.

My fingers shake as I unlock my phone. The first text simply reads “Happy Halloween” and the two others are pictures. One is of Cole standing close to a woman in a pink raincoat, and the other is a blurry image of Cole at some sort of market.

“What’s wrong?” Cole asks and shuffles closer.

I swallow my pounding heart and hold the phone up for him to see. “He took pictures of you.”

Cole’s gaze moves to the phone, eyebrows pinching together. “I know.”

“What do you mean, you know?”

“Maybe we should sit down.”

“No!” I say a little too loudly. “What’s going on, Cole? You knew he was watching you?”

“Yes. I did.”

His words are like a slap in the face. “What the hell? How long?”

Cole inhales and shifts his gaze to the party. “Let’s sit down, Ana.”

“Tell me what’s going on, Cole,” I say each word slowly, but my heart is racing.

“I realized he was following me when I went to LA. He showed up.”

“What the fuck?” I exclaim, not caring the pitch of my voice caused several people to turn and look. “And you didn’t think it was important enough to mention?”

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Upset me? It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?” I bring my hand to my face and shake my head. “And do I even want to know who that woman is in that picture?”

“She means nothing.”

“Steven is a fucking psycho but he has reasons. He wouldn’t send me a picture of you with some random person.”

Cole’s shoulders sag forward. “Her name is Heather. That’s my ex.”

“What the fuck, Cole?”

“He set it up. Pretended to be me to get her to show up at the office.”

“And telling me this never crossed your mind?”

“Ana, I—” He cuts off and looks away. “You were so happy and I couldn’t bring myself to ruin that.”

“I’m not some child that needs to be protected from the truth. Shit happened, and yeah, it still scares me. But I’m not weak. I don’t need to be lied to in order to spare my feelings. If that’s the kind of person you think I am, then this—what we have together—is all a sham. I’m not a damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. I want a partner. An equal. I thought that’s what we had. I guess I was wrong.”

Cole stares at me, desperation and sadness on his face. But the doesn’t speak. Doesn’t tell me he’s sorry and that he was stupid and not thinking. He just stands there.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” I ask, slowly moving my head from side to side.

Cole opens his mouth but no words come out.

“Cole. Please! Say something.” Fat tears fall from my eyes. I shake my head. “I guess I know where I stand.” I turn and walk away, past Luke and Lexi who are trying to act like they didn’t see what just happened. I don’t know what to do other than go home and wait for Cole. I’ll have calmed down by then, and he’ll have had time to think of another lie.

No. I can’t think like that.

I’m mad. Upset. Scared.

I know I get impulsive, so leaving and cooling off is exactly what I need. I get my coat and step outside. The cool, fall air on my face is sobering. I walk past a group of people smoking and try to remember what Cole told me on how to see if a taxi is available or not. It had something to do with the numbers and the lights. Shit. I don’t remember. I’ll just stick my arm out at any taxi that drives by, not caring if I look like a typical tourist. Hell, I’m already dressed like Wonder Woman.

“Hello, Ana.”

I know that voice. My heart races and my stomach flip flops. My fight or flight reaction kicks in and I reach for the lasso on my belt. I don’t know what I’ll do with it, but I won’t give up without a fight this time. I turn and come face to face with Steven. I haven’t seen him since the trial, and it shocks me how he looks exactly the same.

“What do you want?” I spit out.

“I just want to talk to you.” He smiles and runs his eyes over me. “I always said you made a good Wonder Woman.”

“Fuck you.”

He laughs. “You have fucked me. Many times. Do you remember how good it felt?”

“Go to hell.”

“Always with the insults.” He moves closer and looks me right in the eye and smiles. “How are things going with your boyfriend, Ana? What’s his name again? Oh, right. Cole.”

A chill goes through me and I realize that everything that happened tonight fell perfectly into Steven’s plan. He knows me and knows I get impulsive when I’m angry. That I have a tendency to blow up and need alone time to let off steam. He sent those pictures of Cole with his ex hoping to get me right where I am.

He inches forward again.

“One more step and I scream,” I threaten.

“No, you won’t. In fact, you’re going to do exactly what I say.”

“Why the fuck would I do that?

I move back, trying to get into the group of smokers’ line of sight.

“Love makes you do crazy things.” He tips his head, watching me. “And you do love Cole, don’t you?”

The blood drains from my face. “What did you do?”

“Nothing. Well, nothing yet.” He holds out his hand. “What happens or doesn’t happen is up to you. Come with me, Ana, and everything will be all right.”

My heart hammers in my ears and I look at his outstretched hand. I can see the snake tattoo peeking out from the sleeve of his jacket.

“Ana,” he repeats sternly.

I’m mad at Cole right now, but I love him. I love him so fucking much. I have no idea what Steven is planning, but I know the shit he’s capable of. A tear rolls down my cheek and I slowly extend my arm.

What other choice do I have?